Chapter 14. Biology and Diseases of Ferrets Flashcards

Question

Sweat glands of ferrets

Answer 1

-Ferrets lack well-developed sweat glands = predisposed to prostration when ambient temps reach 32 C (90 F)

Answer 2

- Seasonal breeders - Prolonged estrus in unbred females can result in aplastic anemia - can reproduce this with exogenous estrogen administration - Males has os penis & prostate gland

Answer 3

- Newborn kits: 6-12 g at birth - 6-8 weeks: 400 g - Intact males: 1-2 kg - Intact females: 0.5-1 kg - Gonadectomized adults: 0.8-1.2 kg - Body weight can fluctuate up to 30-40% with seasonal changes

Answer 4

6-8 years; rarely up to 11 years

Answer 5

38.8 C (37.8-40 C)

Answer 6

40 (diploid)

Answer 7

2 (I 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/3, M 1/2)

Answer 8

C7-T15-L5-S3-C14

Answer 9

4-12 months | -Length of breeding life is 2-5 years

Answer 10

42 +/- 2 days | -Litter size 1-18, average 8

Answer 11

- Birth weight: 6-12 g - Eyes open: 34 days - Onset of hearing: 32 days - Weaning: 6-8 weeks

Answer 12

-Ferrets have relatively robust erythron, with Hct, Hbg, and total RBC & reticulocyte counts generally higher than dog or cat

Answer 13

- A low grade proteinuria on UA may be seen in normal, healthy ferrets - Normal USG in intact males: 1.051, intact females: 1.042

Answer 14

- Strict carnivores - Short GI tract & rapid GI transit time require protein to be readily digestible - Daily maintenance energy requirement: 0.5 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/kg metabolic body weight (BW^0.75) - In MINK: 42% protein up to 16 weeks; after 16 weeks old, 26-36% protein, 9-28% fat, 22-42% carbohydrate - 30-40% protein & 18-20% fat for adults; minimum 35% protein & 25% fat for reproductively active & growing animals - Diets high in fish or with raw meat not recommended - Digestibility of crude protein in ferrets significantly lower than cats & digestibility of crude fat significantly higher = ferrets cannot be used as a model of cats & careful comparing data between two species - Carbohydrates should not exceed 30-36% for adults, but kits feed carb-free diet reported to do poorly d/t hypoglycemia

Answer 15

Can lead to urolithiasis

Answer 16

- Used to investigate absorption, metabolism, interaction of Beta-carotene & Vit E - Ferrets, like humans, convert Beta-carotene to Vit A in the gut & absorb Beta-carotene intact - Beta-carotene, retinol & retinyl esters are absorbed intact into the lymph & cleavage products (Beta-apo-12'-carotenal, Beta-apo-10'-carotenal, retinoids) accumulate in intestinal mucosa - mucosa converts Beta-carotene into retinoic acid - transported via portal vein to liver - Beta-carotene absorption & conversion into retinol enhanced by coperfusion of alpha-tocopherol - Ferrets able to excrete retinol & retinyl esters into urine - depends on oral Vit A supplementaton - Lung cancer model of ferrets exposed to tobacco smoke has been used to evaluate the cancer-modulating properties of these micronutrients

Answer 17

- 75-100 mL per day, depending on dry matter content of feed | - Provide fresh water ad libitum in secured bowels or water bottles (ferrets will overturn is not well secured)

Answer 18

- Seasonal breeders | - In the wild, season in Northern Hemisphere is March-August for females & December-July for males

Answer 19

- -Puberty: 6-12 months - Minimum breeding age: 8-12 mths male, 4-5 mths female - Monestrous, continuous duration until intromission - Induced ovulators - Jills maintained at 8 hr light-16 hr dark reach puberty in 10-12 months - The transfer from short to long photoperiods should not occur prior to 90 days of age, b/c jills that are prematurely transferred will remain anestrous

Answer 20

42 +/- 1 day | -Average litter size 8 (1-18)

Answer 21

- Vulvar swelling is hallmark sign - NOT assoc w/ rising FSH like in rodents - Mated ~14 days after vulvar enlargement - Estradiol concentrations responsible for development of female reproductive tract & secondary sexual characteristics - Tonic inhibition of LH secretion by the anterior pituitary during both prepubertal life and anestrus - With increasing light exposure, LH levels rise despite estradiol - Jills may return to estrus during 2nd-3rd week of lactation if they have fewer than 5 kits, or 2 weeks after weaning if litter is larger - Jills should be rebred or given hCG to terminate estrus, even if still lactating - May have 2-3 litters yearly until 5 years old - A nonstimulatory photoperiod should be used 6 weeks per year to rest the ferret and preserve maximum fertility - jills return to estrus ~3 wks after reinstitution of longer photoperiod - Return of estrus correlates with follicular development and increased plasma estradiol

Answer 22

-Age differences in the sensitivity of negative feedback inhibition of the hypothalamic secretion of gonadotropin-releasting hormone (GnRH) by testosterone, or to estrogenic compounds derived from aromatization of testosterone, appear to be essential in determining puberty & seasonality of reproduction in males

Answer 23

5-13 ova ovulated 30-40 hr after coitus = induced ovulators - Neck restraint and intromission by the male required for ovulation - Implantation occurs 12 days after mating

Answer 24

-Zonary & endotheliochorial (typical for carnivores)

Answer 25

- Ultrasound detection as early as day 12 - Palpation as early as day 14 - Calcified fetal skeletons on radiographs at ~30 days

Answer 26

- Separate to single housing when within 2 weeks of parturition - Provide nest box with bedding for warmth - Next box should be at least 6 inches deep - Nutritional support very important: risk for pregnancy toxemia = hypoglycemia, hyperketonemia, hypoinsulinemia, decreased T4 & T3, hepatic lipidosis

Answer 27

- Rapid, as little as 2-3 hr - Primiparous jills usually deliver on day 41, multiparous on day 42 - Fetuses remaining in utero beyond day 43 typically die - Dystocia is common d/t positional abnormalities and fetal oversize = C-section; failure to deliver within 8 hr after administration of prostaglandin is indication for C-section - Leave undisturbed for several days postpartum to minimize cannibalization - Fostering: allow pups to mingle with foster jill's own pups while jill is away so that rejection d/t olfactory stimuli will not occur

Answer 28

- Born altricial; dependent on jill for first 3 weeks - Coat color starts to become visible at 3 days of age - Weigh 6-12 g at birth - Sexual dimorphism in size apparent by week 7 - Eruption of deciduous teeth = 14 days - Ability to hear = 32 days - ear canals do not open until 32 days - startle response in kits - Opening of eyes = 34 days - Eruption of permanent canines = 47-52 days - Displacement of deciduous canines by 56-70 days - POLECATS = learn scent of prey between 60-90 days

Answer 29

- 6 weeks of age - Can give slurry of adult food with fat supplementation to achieve 30% fat (Linatone supplement) - Diet should be 30% fat, 40% protein - Group housed until sexually mature - Males >12 weeks old may fight if exposed to greater than 12 hr of light per day

Answer 30

- Etiology: Clostridium perfringens Type A - Ubiquitous, present in GI tracts of humans & animals - Acute abdominal distenstion, dyspnea, cyanosis in weanling ferrets - Predisposing factors: overeating, sudden changes in diet, proliferation of C. perfringens type A & its toxins

Answer 31

-Alpha toxin: principal lethal toxin; hemolytic and necrotizing & has ability to split lecithin or lecithin-protein complexes, leading to destruction of cell membranes & necrosis

Answer 32

- Clin signs: acute abdominal distension, cyanosis, found dead & bloated - Diagnosis: isolation of bacteria from stomach/intestines; toxin identification using mouse protection assay - Necropsy findings: markedly distended stomach & intestines with large amount of gas & brown semiliquid ingesta; SC emphysema - Histo: abundant G(+) bacilli in smears of gastric and intestinal contents; GI mucosa necrosis, G(+) baclli lining denuded mucosal surface & extending into gastric glands, intestinal crypts; lymphoid necrosis of LNs, spleen, thymus; mild to moderate dilation of central hepatic sinusoids with hepatocellular dissociation and multifocal aggregates of necrotic neutrophils within portal areas

Answer 33

- Prevention: good management & feeding practices; restrict feeding of weanlings to 2x instead of 3x daily - Tx: supportive care, gastric trocharization - these can be unrewarding

Answer 34

- Etiology: Campylobacter jejuni; G(-) spirally curved microaerophilic bacteria - Causes diarrheic illness in humans, dogs, cats, cows, goats, pigs, mink, ferrets, sheep; mastitis in cows, infectious hepatitis in chickens; abortion in cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, mink - Can be cultured from asymptomatic dogs, cats, ferrets - Transmission: ingestion of organisms through direct contact with feces or contaminated feed & water

Answer 35

- Clin signs: self limiting diarrhea; anorexia, dehydration, tenesmus; fetal resorption, abortion - Diagnosis: based on history, clinical signs, culture - grows slowly & need selective media or filtration techniques w/ temp 42-43 C & microaerophilic conditions; round, raised, translucent & sometimes mucoid colonies - Ddx: proliferative bowel disease, other infectious and noninfectious causes of diarrhea

Answer 36

- Necropsy findings: neutrophilic infiltrates in lamina propria of colon; enterocolitis; placentitis - Tx: supportive care, antibiotics based on C&S; azithromycin & fluoroquinolones commonly used in humans; experimental killed whole cell vaccine protected 80% of ferrets when given 4 doses 48 hr apart - Control: ZOONOTIC = isolate positive animals; good hygiene

Answer 37

- Isolated from margins of a duodenal ulcer of a ferret - Every ferret with chronic gastritis is infected with H. mustelae; SPF ferrets do not have gastritis, gastric ulcers, or detctable IgG antibody - Robust model for H. pylori gastritis in humans - Colonizes nearly 100% of ferrets shortly after weaning; may be due to fecal-oral transmission - Ferrets placed on proton pump inhibitors, which raise gastric pH, have a statistically higher recovery of H. mustelae from feces when compared with age-matched untreated control ferrets - Ferret is ONLY domesticated animal to date with naturally occurring helicobacter associated ulcer disease

Answer 38

- Clin signs: gastric or duodenal ulcers - vomiting, melena, chronic weight loss, lowered hematocrit; gastric adenocarcinoma - vomiting, anorexia, weight loss - Ddx: gastric foreign body - Dx: endoscopy; gastric samples inoculated onto blood agar plates supplemented with trimethoprim, vancomycin, polymixin B - incubate at 37 or 42 C in a microaerobic atmosphere for 3-7 days; H. mustelae = produce urease, catalase, oxidase; resistant to cephalothin; sensitive to nalidixic acid

Answer 39

- Superficial gastritis with H. mustelae on surface of mucosa but NOT in crypts; diffuse antral gastritis; focal glandalar atrophy (a precancerous lesion) & regeneration; can see deep colonization focally in antrum - Argyrophilic bacteria in liver, biliary tract - chronic cholangiohepatitis, bile duct hyperplasia, cholangiocellular carcinoma (H. cholecystus) - Susceptible to gastric cancer = gastric adenocarcinoma, gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma

Answer 40

- Tx: triple therapy with amoxicillin, metronidazol, bismuth subsalicylate 3x daily for 3-4 weeks; ranitidine bismuth & clarithromycin 3x daily for 2 weeks - Eradicaton associated with decrease in anti-H. mustelae IgG antibody titers (consistent with findings in humans) - Omeprazole induces hypochlorhydria & may be used in conjunction with antibiotics to treat H. mustelae-assoc duoenal or gastric ulcers; cimetidine can also be used to decrease acid secretion; sucralfate for clinical signs of stomach ulcers - Fluids & blood transfusions for acute bleeding ulcers

Answer 41

- Etiology: Lawsonia intracellularis = intracellular Campylobacter-like organisms related to Desulfovibrio spp.; G(-), comma to spiral-shaped bacteria - Transmission: fecal-oral - Disease of young ferrets - Copathogens include Campylobacter spp, coccidia, chlamydia

Answer 42

- Clin signs: chronic diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, dehydration; diarrhea may be blood-tinged, contain mucus, often green in color; rectal prolapse; ataxia and muscle tremors - Dx: clinical signs, palpably thickened colon, colonic biopsy - Ddx: other causes of diarrhea and weight loss

Answer 43

- Segmented, thickened large bowel - usually terminal colon, can also include ileum and rectum - Histo: marked mucosal proliferation and intracytoplasmic L. intracellularis seen with silver stain in apical portion of epithelial cells; mixed inflammatory infiltrate; reduced goblet cell production; hyperplasia of glandular epithelium; glandular irregularity with penetration of mucosal glands through the muscularis mucosa; increased thickness of tunica muscularis - Translocation of glandular tissue to extraintestinal sites - regional LNs & liver - has been reported - Ddx: other causes of diarrhea and wasting, including dietary changes, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, gastric foreign body, lymphoma, Aleutian disease (AD), gastric ulcers - Incidence appears to be rare - Tx: supportive care; chloramphenicol or metronidazole for 2 weeks

Answer 44

- Etiology: Mycobacterium bovis, M. avium, M. tuberculosis - Aerobic, G(+), non-branching, non-spore-forming, acid-fast rods - Ferrets might be more susceptible to mycobacterial infections than other species; can have natural infections with M. bovis and M. avium; also susceptible to experimental infx with human tubercle bacillus; endemic in feral ferrets inf New Zealand - Feeding of commercial diets and TB testing in livestock and poultry has reduced incidence of the disease in ferrets - Horizontal transmission demonstrated in ferrets under experimental housing conditions - Den sharing, playing, fighting, sniffing, cannibalism, and aggressive breeding could transmit TB between ferrets - M. celatum infx reported in one ferret - accurate dx difficult because reacts positively with polyclonal Abs against M. paratuberculosis & M. bovis = identify using 16S rRNA sequence analysis

Answer 45

- M. bovis causes typical microscopic foci of infection & necrosis; M. avium may not cause these in all ferrets; human TB causes just localized infx with minor spread to adjacent LNs - Weight loss, anorexia, lethargy, death, miliary lesions of lungs & other viscera, progressive paralysis - Mesenteric LNs often infected - related to ORAL infection - Histo: granulomatous inflamm w/ predominantly macrophages, multnucleated giant cells, epithelioid cells - in lungs, intestines, spleen, liver, peripancreatic adipose tissu; numerous acid-fast bacilli within macrophages - Impaired cell-mediated response may account for the large number of organisms observed in M. bovis lesions

Answer 46

- Dx: isolation of organism in tissue; most common sites = retropharyngeal & mesenteric LNs - A tuberculin skin testing regimen has NOT been definitively characterized for ferrets yet - Tx: euthanasia b/c ZOONOTIC; clarithromycin, rifampicin, clofazimine

Answer 47

- G(-), non spore forming, facultative anaerobic rods in family Enterobacteriaceae - Genus Salmonella has 2 species: S. bongori = poikilotherms & rarely humans, S. enterica - Transmission: ingestion from contaminated food or water products - Serotypes that have been isolated from ferrets include S. Hadar, S. Enteritidis, S. Kentucky, S. Typhimurium

Answer 48

- Conjunctivitis, rapid weight loss, tarry stools, febrile, lethargy, anorexia, trembling, abortion/stillbirth - Gross lesions: tissue pallor, petechiae of gastric mucosa, melena, dark fibrinous exudate in large intestine, GI contents containing lots of mucus, some blood - Histo: desquamated epithelium of GI mucosa, exudate in small intestine containing mucoid material, RBCs, desquamated intestinal villi; edematous villi in ileum, infiltration of small intestinal mucosa with lymphocytes and macrophages; necrotic foci in liver, spleen, kidney; splenomegaly, visceral lymphadenopathy; necrotizing endometritis

Answer 49

- Dx: based on history, clinical signs, isolation of organism - culture on enrichment and selective media - Tx: sulfathalidine in feed; supportive care; antibiotics based on C&S

Answer 50

- Streptococcus zooepidemicus & other group C & G streptococci; Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bordetella bronchiseptica - Primary bacterial pneumonia not very common; may occur secondary to megaesophagus in ferrets, or secondary to influenza - EXCEPTION: outbreak of Mycoplasma species in ferrets as primary pathogen - Clin signs: nasal discharge, dyspnea, lethargy, anorexia, increased lung sounds, cyanosis, fever, sepsis, death - Dx: history, clin signs, CBC, culture and cytology of tracheal or lung wash, radiographs - Ddx: dilated cardiomypathy, heartworm, mycotic pneumonia, pneumocystis pneumonia in immunosuppressed animals, neoplasia, influenza - Tx: antibiotics, supportive care, oxygen

Answer 51

- Staphylococcus spp, Streptococcus spp, Corynebacterium spp, Pasteurella, Actinomyces, hemolytic E. coli, Aeromonas spp - Of lung, liver, uterus, vulva, skin, mammary glands, oral cavity - May result from wounds inflicted by biting during fighting, playing, mating, chewing sharp objects - Clin signs: localized swellings +/- draining tracts - usually SC abscesses are walled off & don't cause systemic signs; may see dental abscesses d/t canine tooth fracture; stranguria d/t prostatic abscessation - often secondary to hyperadrenocorticism - Dx: cytology & Gram staining of aspirate - Ddx: myiasis, granuloma, hematoma, neoplasia - Tx: prevent exposure to sharp objects, limit exposure of male and female during breeding, antibiotics & establish drainage

Answer 52

- G(+) cocci like Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus aureus & coliforms like hemolytic E. coli most frequently associated - Factors that may be involved: stress of lactation, injury to mammary glands by kits, environmental contamination, virulence of the organism - Organism may be present in oral cavity of kits

Answer 53

- Acute form: occurs soon after parturition or after 3rd week of lactation - glands are swollen, firm, red or purple, painful, may become gangrenous - Chronic form: may occur when kits are 3 weeks old or as sequela to acute form = glands that are firm but NOT painful or discolored - Dx: history, clin signs, PE findings, isolation of organism - E. coli often positive for cnf1 = tend to produce extraintestinal disease & are referred to as necrotoxigenic E. coli

Answer 54

- Glands swollen, overlying skin discolored - Edema, hemorrhage, coagulative & liquefactive necrosis of glandular tissue & surrounding SC tissue - Mixed leukocytic infiltrate - primarily PMN leukocytes, large numbers of bacteria, thombosis and necrosis of vessels - Tx: broad-spectrum antibiotics; recommend oral administration of antibiotics to nursing kits also; surgical resection & debridement may be needed for acute mastitis; kits may spread infection to foster jills!; good hygiene to minimize spread to other jills; euthanisia for chronic mastitis

Answer 55

- Paramyxovirus; genus Morbillivirus (related to measles, rinderpest) - Several strains, including a ferret adapted strain - Virus can be inactivated by heat, light, phenol, Roccal, sodium hydroxide, formalin - Most serious viral infection of ferrets; mortality up to 100% - Catarrhal Phase: 7-10 days postinfx; anorexia, pyrexia, photosensitivity, serous nasal discharge, erythematus pruritic rash (cell-mediated immunity to infected endothelial cells), hyperkeratosis of footpads (not always seen); secondary bacterial - mucopurulent ocular and nasal discharge, pneumonia - CNS Phase: ataxia, tremors, paralysis; may or may not be preceded by catarrhal phase - Death in 12-16 days from ferret strains, up to 35 days from canine strains

Answer 56

- Virus shed in conjunctival, nasal, oral exudates, urine, feces, sloughed skin - Ferrets very susceptible to infection via respiratory route - Viremia detectable 2 days postinfection & persists until ferret mounts a neutralizing antibody response - Primary site of replication = respiratory and lymphatic systems - Decrease in lymphocyte subsets at 5-30 days postinfection - Moves to CNS via infection of vascular endothelial cells and hematogenous spread of virus infected leukocytes from meningeal blood vessels into the subarachnoid space = widespread infection of cells of pia and arachnoid mater of the leptomeninges over large areas of the cerebral hemispheres

Answer 57

- Intracytoplasmic & intranuclear inclusion bodies in tracheal, bronchial epithelia; bile duct; transitional epithelium of bladder - Inclusions = eosinophilic (H&E) inclusions, appear orange using Pollack's trichrome stain - Dx: fluorescent antibody test on peripheral blood & conjunctival mononuclear cells; RT-PCR; cytology of conjunctival scrapings - Ddx: Bordetella bronchiseptica, influenza (does not rapidly progress to mucopurulent ocular and nasal discharge like CD)

Answer 58

- Isolate clinically affected ferrets; euthanasia recommended as no reports of animals surviving acute infection - Vaccination can prevent infx: MLV of chicken embryo tissue culture origin (CETCO) given IM - Vaccinate kits every 2-3 weeks from 6 weeks old to 14 weeks, then annually - Vaccine reactions have been reported following double-dose vaccination (follow schedule above) - vomiting, diarrhea, fever, collapse - Treat vaccine reaction with diphenhydramine IV or IM or epinephrine SC, IV, IM, intratracheal - Inactivated vaccines do not deliver consistent effective immunity = NOT recommended - CD used to experimentally study mobillivirus infection and vaccine strategies in humans

Answer 59

- Feline panleukopenia, canine parvovirus, canine parainfluenza, mink enteritis virus, respiratory syncytial virus, transmissible mink encephalopathy, pseudorabies - Natural infection with these viruses has not been reported

Answer 60

- Aleutian mink disease virus (ADV) = parvovirus in genus Amdoparvovirus, species Carnivore amdoparvovirus 1 - Most common strain = ADV-F - Mink derived strains more virulent to mink than ferrets; at least 3 strains that are distinct from the mink ADV have been documented in ferrets - Hypergammaglobulinemia (HGG) = immunomodulation that is disruptive to research - Transmission: direct or via aerosol of urine, saliva, blood, feces, fomites; vertical transmission established in mink but unproven in ferrets

Answer 61

- Ferrets infected as adults = persistent infection but rarely disease; chronic progressive weight loss, cachexia, malaise, melena - May cause ataxia, paralysis, tremors, convulsions - Lesions typically immune-mediated; elevation of gammaglobulins >20% of the total proteins; in mink there is depression of B & T cell responses - Dx: HGG and chronic weight loss; IFA or counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) for antibody to ADV antigen; ELISA & PCR - Presence of ADV antibody in a ferret is NOT necessarily diagnostic of the disease in an animal (up to 10% of ferrets may be antibody positive without disease) - DNA of ADV can be detected by in situ hydrixization - can use on paraffin embedded fixed tissues - Ddx: neurotropic form of canine distemper, chronic wasting diseases like neoplasia, malabsorption, maldigestion, bacterial enteritis

Answer 62

- Disinfection with formalin, sodium hydroxide, phenolics - No general treatment, animals should be euthanized - Mink kits treated with gamma globulin-containing ADV antibody had decrease mortality rates - Necropsy: may have no lesions; infrequent hepatosplenomegaly & lymphadenopathy - Histo: periportal lymphocytic infiltrates; bile duct hyperplasia & periportal fibrosis; membranous glomerulonephritis

Answer 63

- Orthomyxovirus - Transmissible from humans to ferrets & ferrets to humans = vaccination of handlers, PPE, don't work with ferrets if having respiratory illness - Human influenza viruses A & B pathogenic to ferrets (type B low pathogenicity) - Ferrets also susceptible to avian, phocine, equine, swine influenza - only swine causes clinical signs

Answer 64

- Remains localized in nasal epithelium but may cause pneumonia - Clin signs = 48 hr postinfx; anorexia, fever, sneezing, serous nasal discharge, otitis - Secondary bacterial infection with Streptoccosu spp, Bordetella bronchiseptica - Transmission: aerosol, direct contact

Answer 65

- Recovery within 4 days (unlike CDV that progresses to death) - Dx: clinical signs & recovery within 4 days; hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers on acute and convalescent serum (rarely) - Tx: amantadine experimentally effective; neuraminidae inhibitors like zanamivir, oseltamivir - these prevent & treat influenza & may be used in combo with amantidin; antibiotics for secondary bacteria - Ferrets used as influenza model; used in influenza A research to study pathogenesis, Reye's syndrome, evaluate vaccine trials

Answer 66

- Rhabdovirus, genus Lyssavirus - Experimental infection: mean incubation period of 28-33 days, mean morbidity was 4-5 days - Vaccinate with killed rabies vaccine at 3 mths, 1 year, then annually - Clin signs: anxiety, lethargy, posterior paresis - Pathology: Negri bodies may be seen in brain (not always), may be able to isolate virus from salivary glands - Suspect ferrets that bite or scratch humans = not less than 10 day quarantine for observation - Recent case report documented recovery and clearance of rabies virus in a ferret - survived for 100 days after onset of clinical signs with continued paraplegia - Dx: direct IFA of brain tissue

Answer 67

- Diarrhea in ferret kits - thought to be atypical poorly characterized rotavirus that has not been cultivated in vitro - Atypical rotaviruses lack the rotavirus common antigen - Definitive identification of a group C rotavirus in ferrets recently published

Answer 68

- Diarrhea, perineal soiling - High mortality in young kits, lower mortality if over 10 days of age - May occur in kits as young as 1-4 days & up to 6 weeks of age - Secondary bacterial infection may increase severity of diarrhea

Answer 69

- Yellow-green liquid of mucous feces in terminal colon - Subtle small intestinal villous atrophy & epithelial cell vacuolation - Dx: electron microscopy of centrifuged fecal pellets; CANNOT use commercially available enzyme immunoassays - Tx: mortality reduced if kits continue nursing - syringe feed milk replacer; supportive care - Jills develop immunity to rotavirus infection & subsequent litters are protected

Answer 70

- A novel Alphacoronavirus = ferret enteric coronavirus (FRECV) - Occurs when young animal introduced to a colony of adults. though susceptible animals can be infected at any age - Virions shed in feces and saliva; intermittent shedding possible long after resolution of clinical disease - Transmission: rapid infection by oral route - High morbidity, low mortality - Considered enzootic

Answer 71

- Decreased appetite, weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea - green mucoid, vomiting, dehydration - If chronic, malabsorption can occur & feces become small, ovoid - Elevated liver enzymes & nonspecific hematologic abnormalities in some ferrets - Young ferrets have milder disease than older ferrets - Dx: intestinal biopsy & histopath with IHC; RT-PCR; electron microscopy; a serologic test exists but should be evaluated in context of clinical signs

Answer 72

- Enteritis with watery intestinal contents, enlarged mesenteric LNs - Histo: LYMPHOCYTIC ENTERITIS WITH VILLOUS ATROPHY & necrosis and vacuolzation of enterocyte tips; villous blunting and fusion - Lesion are in JEJUNUM & ILEUM - Tx: aggressive oral & systemic fluid therapy; antibiotics for secondary bacteria; metronidazole - Most detergents and disinfectants will kill environmental coronavirus

Answer 73

- Systemic granulomatous disase due to ferret systemic coronavirus (FRSCV) - Genus Alphacoronavirus - behaves similarly to FIP dry form - Typically affects animals under 1 year of age - Transmission: mechanism unknown, but likely ingestion - Clin signs: lethargy, decreased appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss; some animals have neuro signs of ataxia, paresis, tremor, head tilt, seizure

Answer 74

- Histo: intralesional coronaviral nucleic acid; IHC using monoclonal antibody (FIPV3-70) will localize nucleic acid - RT-PCR capable of differentiating FRSCV & FRECV - Clin signs + hematology strongly suggestive - nonregenerative anemia, hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia, thrombocytopenia - Ddx: Aleutian disease - due to FRSCV polyclonal gammopathy - Radiography & endoscopy for palpated masses - Necropsy: enlarged mesenteric LNs; multiple tan coalescencing nodules on serosal surfaces & mesenteric vessels - Histo: lesions most common in liver, kidney, spleen, lung; severe pyogranulomatous inflammation often surrounding vessels that infiltrates and destroys affected parenchyma; brain = pyogranulomatous meningoencephalitis - Tx: supportive care incl. iron in anemic animals, vitamins, gastroprotectants, immunostimulatory antibiotics like doxycycline - Most animals die or are euthanized within weeks of diagnosis

Answer 75

- Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) - Isolated from liver, spleen, lung of clinically normal ferrets - Raw beef suspected as source of infection - In experimental infection of ferrets, IBR caused either no respiratory pathology OR acute suppurative pharyngitis

Answer 76

- Isolated from 4 ferrets in the Netherlands - No overt signs of disease - Relevance to ferret health or zoonotic risk unknown

Answer 77

- Pseudorabies virus (PRV), Aujeszky's disease - Consumption of raw pork by ferrets - Usually fatal in most species infected

Answer 78

- 3 species of Isospora and Eimeria reported in ferrets: Isospora laidlawi, Eimeria furonis, Eimeria ictidea - Transmission: ingestion of sporulated oocysts - Clin signs: usually subclinical; diarrhea, lethargy, dehydration; rectal prolapse; one case of biliary infestation with E. furonis - Clin signs more common in young newly acquired ferrets after a stressful event

Answer 79

- Dx: fecal float, direct wet mount; infestation of biliary tract resulted in changes on serum chemistry - Pathology: jejunum & ileum - villous and epithelial thickening; parasitic cysts and microorganisms within epithelium; mild granulomatous inflammation in villar lamina propria - Ddx: GI foreign body; dietary indiscretion, nutritional, inflammatory, infectious, other systemic diseases - proliferative colitis, salmonellosis, giardiasis, rotavirus, campylobacteriosis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis - In biliary case: hepatomegaly, enlarged firm bile ducts, thickened gallbladder wall - Control: good husbandry; cleaning cages with strong ammonium hydroxide solution; heat treatment of surfaces and utensils - Tx: sulfadimethozine for 6 days; ponazuril (triazine coccidiocidal drug) for 10 days - As with dogs and cats, the complete elimination of a coccidial infection requires an immunocompetent host

Answer 80

- Etiology: Cryptosporidium spp. - Class Sporozoa, Subclass Cocidia - Inhabits respiratory and intestinal epithelium of birds, reptiles, mammals. fish - Transmission: ingestion of sporulated oocysts in contaminated food, water; life cycle similar to other coccidian parasites; autoinfection characteristic of life cycle - Clin signs: subclinical in both immunocompetent & immunosuppressed ferrets reported; otherwise nonspecific clinical signs with death possible in 48-72 hr

Answer 81

- Dx: sugar solution centrifugation or fecal sedimentation using formalin-ether or formalin-ethyl acetate; direct fecal smear with methanol or heat fixing & stained with acid-fast - oocysts small compared to other coccidia - spherical to ellipsoidal; acid-fast; oocyst residuum is seen as a refractive dot under phase-contrast - Pathology: spherical to ovoid 2-5 um diameter organisms associated with brush border of villi; mild eosinophilic infiltrate in lamina propria of small intestine; ILEUM MOST COMMON HEAVILY INFECTED SECTION of small intestine - Tx: no known definitive treatment; supportive/symptomatic care; infections self-limiting in immunocompetent - ZOONOTIC - Drying, freeze-thawing, and steam cleaning inactivate the organism; few effective commercial disinfectants

Answer 82

- Sarcoptes scabiei - Transmission: direct contact with infected hosts or fomites - Ferrets have Generalized or Pedal Form - Generalized: lesions are focal or generalized alopecia with intense pruritis - Pedal: lesions confined to toes and feet; feet become swollen with scabbing, nails may be deformed or lost - Dx: skin scraping or removing crusts, breaking them up, & clearing with 10& KOH for microscopic exam - Ddx: other pruritic external parasites like fleas; demodicois causes mild pruritis and alopecia in ferrets - Tx: Pedal = trim claws, remove scabs after softening in warm water; ivermectin SC or selamectin or lime sulfur dips; shampoos or soaks to reduce pruritis; antibiotics for secondary bacteria

Answer 83

- Demodex spp. - Found in normal skin, not considered contagious; predisposing factors incl immunologic or genetic conditions - Clin signs: alopecia, pruritis, orange discoloration of skin behind ears or on ventral abdomen & accompanying seborrhea - Dx: deep skin scraping; skin biopsy may be needed in chronic cases with thickened skin - Pathology: mites with a short, blunted abdomen similar to Demodex criceti; epidermis hypertrophic, mild superficial orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, mild perivascular & superficial mixed cellular infiltrate - Ddx: sarcoptic mange, fleas, primary/secondary bacterial dermatitis - Tx: amitraz dip; imidacloprid-moxidectin; ivemectin orally or topically; selamectin

Answer 84

- Otodectes cynotis - Transmission: direct contact with infested animal; entire life cycle completed in 3 weeks - Clin signs: usually asymptomatic; head shaking, mild to severe pruritis with inflammation & excoriation; secondary otitis interna with ataxia, circling, torticollis, Horner's syndrome; brownish-black waxy discharge - Dx: otoscopic exam, microscope evaluation of ear slides - Tx: topical treatments more efficacious than injectable; ivermectin; due to anatomic characteristics of ferret ear, instillation of drops into the ear canal is of very limited efficacy; selamectin; imidacloprid-moxidectin; can give medications partially in ear canal & partially at interscapular region - High doses of ivermectin (0.2 mL of 1% solution) administered to jills at 2-4 weeks gestation resulted in high rates of congenital defects

Answer 85

- Ctenocephalides species - Transmission: direct contact with another infested animal or flea-infested environment - Clin signs: asymptomatic; mild to intense pruritis and alopecia of dorsal thorax and neck - Dx: clin signs, identification of fleas or flea excrement - Ddx: sarcoptic mange, demodex - Tx: concurrent treatment of environment & all animals in household is essential; rotenone or pyrethrin powders or sprays; selamectin topical; imidacloprid topical

Answer 86

- Fungus - Inhabits lungs of many different species; recent transmission studies suggest these fungi are highly species specific - Clin signs: only seen in immunocompromized ferrets (such as induced using high dose steroids) - Pathology: interstitial pneumonitis with mononuclear cell infiltrates - Dx: cysts and trophozites are evident with Gomori methanamine-silver nitrate and Giemsa on bronchoalveolar lavage - Tx: trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole probably controls but does NOT eliminate infection

Answer 87

- Ferrets susceptible o secondary fungal infection of outer ear canal with Absidia corymbifera or Malassezia spp. - These fungi widespread in environment & will cause secondary fungal infection in ears of ferrets infested with Otodectes cynotis - Dx: impression of ear exudates - Tx: eradicate underlying mite infestation followed by oral and topical ketoconazole, miconazole and polymyxin B

Answer 88

- Microsporum canis & Trichophyton mentagrophytes - ZOONOTIC - Control infection with general disinfection and destruction of contaminated beddings - Clin signs: circumscribed areas of alopecia inflammation that begin as small papules & spread peripherally in a scaly inflamed ring - Dx: yellow-green fluorescence of M. canis under UV light; skin scrapings digested with 10% KOH - Tx: griseofulvin causes clinical remission but may not clear infx

Answer 89

- Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gatti - Immune suppression might be a contributing factor - Cryptococcus is found in soil, bird droppings, and trees - Prognosis is guarded and treatment is usually difficult - Tx: itraconazole for 10 months resulted in a successful outcome for C. neoformans variety grubii isolated from an enlarged submandibular LN

Answer 90

- Hypoderma bovis: granulomatous masses in cervical region - Cuterebra larvae: subdermal cysts in subcutis of nec - Flesh fly: infestation reported in commercially reared mink and ferrets housed outdoors - Ticks: may be found on ferrets housed outdoors

Answer 91

- Dirofilaria immitis - filarial parasite transmitted by mosquitos - Microfilaria ingested by mosquitos and, after 2 molts, become infective 3rd stage larvae - infected larvae deposited into skin when mosquitos feed - larvae find way into body and migrate SC to thorax and eventually heart - Primary reservoir of infection is dogs, but heartworm may be found in a variety of mammals - All species except wild & domestic canids, domestic felines, ferrets, and California sea lions are considered aberrant hosts

Answer 92

- Weakness, lethargy, depression, dyspnea, cyanosis, anorexia, dehydration, cough, pale MMs; moist lung sounds, muffled heart sounds; pleural or abdominal effusion; caval syndrome, mild anemia, biliverdinuria - may be of increased diagnostic value for this condition in ferrets - Dx: clin signs, radiography/US, microfilaremia - not consistent, testing for heartworm antigen may be more useful - Pathology: cardiomegaly, pleural and/or abdominal fluid and pulmonary congestion; adult worms in R atrium, R ventricle, pulmonary artery, cranial & caudal vena cava; microfilaria in small & large vessels in lungs - Ddx: primary cardiac disease - DCM; other systemic or pulmonary diseases - Tx: Prevent with monthly oral ivermectin or topical selamectin year-round (0.006 mg/kg body weight monthly); treatment with thiacetarsemide (same precautions as dogs - antithromboic therapy, treatment for heart failure, strict cage confinement); ivermectin until clin sins & microfilaremia resolve; melarsomine NOT recommended d/t adverse reactions

Answer 93

-Ferrets are susceptible to infection with: Toxascaris leonina; Toxocara cati; Ancylostoma spp.; Dipylidium caninum; Mesocestoides spp.; Atriotaenia procyonis; Trichinella spiralis; Filaroides martis; and Spiroptera nasicola

Answer 94

- Most common in primiparous jills carrying large litters; an inadvertant fast in late pregnancy is sometimes indicated - At least 75% of jills carrying more than 8 kits will develop if subjected to 24 hr of food withdrawal - Any jill with 15 of more kits may develop because abdominal space inadequate for uterus & amount of food required - Abnormal energy metabolism with hyperlipiemia, hypoglycemia, ketosis, hepatic lipidosis, decreased T4 and T3 levels - Excessive mobilization of free fatty acids

Answer 95

- Anorexia, lethargy, melena, dehydration, easily epilated hair - Ddx: dystocia, metritis, pyometra, septicemia, renal failure, Helicobacter mustelae-induced gastric ulcer - Dx: azotemia, hypocalcemia, hypoproteinemia, elevated liver enzymes, anemia - Pathology: tan or yellow discolored liver, gastric hemorrhage, gravid uterus - Tx: if jill within a day of delivery, C-section and intensive postop support - force feeding gruel of high quality cat food & ferret chow, IV fluids with glucose, supplemental heat' perform C-section under isoflurane or sevoflurane b/c metabolism of injectable agents prolonged by hepatic dysfunction - Agalactia common after C-section - hand feed or cross foster kits - Develop toxemia before 40 days of gestation = fluids & nutritional support until C-section can be performed - Prevention: feed highly palatable diet with >20% fat and >35% crude protein, avoid stress & dietary changes

Answer 96

- Ferrets are induced ovulators and may remain in persistent estrus if they are not bred or if estrus is not terminated chemically or by OVH - Estrogen-indued anemia possible in jills that remain in estrus for more than 1 month - Hyperestrogenism causes bone marrow hypoplasia of all cell lines in half of ferrets in prolonged estrus - Clin signs: vulvar enlargement, bilaterally symmetric alopecia of tail and abdomen, weakness, anorexia, depression, lethargy, weight loss, bacterial infection, mucopurulent vaginal discharge - Initial neutrophilia & thrombocytosis then lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, anemia - Anemia begins as normocytic normochromic & progresses to macrocytic hypochromic - Coagulopathy assoc w/ hepatic dysfunction, thrombocytopenia = bleeding, pallor, melena, petechiation or ecchymosis, subdural hematoma, hematomyelia

Answer 97

- Tissue pallor, light tan to pale pink bone marrow, hemorrhage, bronchopneumonia, hyddrometra, pyometra, mucopurulent vaginitis - Histo: cystic endometrial hypoplasia, hemosiderosis, diminised splenic extramedullary hemtopoiesis, mild to moderate hepatic lipiosis - Tx: terminate estrus & supportive care with antibiotics, blood transfusion, B vitamins, nutritional support - Estrus may be terminated by injection of 50-100 IU HCG or 20 ug of GnRH, repeated 1 week later if needed; OVH - PCV 25% or greater - good prognosis; PCV 15-25% guarded & may need blood transfusion; PCV less than 15% - poor prognosis - Repeated administration of hCG may result in sensitization and anaphylaxis - incoordination, tremor, vomiting, diarrhea - reverse with diphenhydramine; GnRH is smaller molecule = anaphylaxis less likely, GnRH implant is available - Estrogen induced anemia can be avoided by OVH, use of vasectomized hovs, or pharmacologic termination of estrus initiated 10 days after estrus onset

Answer 98

- Administration of arginine-free diets to young ferrets fasted for 16 hr leads to hyperammonemia and encephalopathy within 2-3 hr - Exacerbation of signs may be achieved by challenging young ferrets with influenza virus and aspirin - constitutes a model of Reye's syndrome in children - Clin signs: lethargy, aggressiveness; then prostration, coma, death - Presumably occurs because of inability of ferrets to produce adequate amounts of ornithine from non-arginine precursors - detoxificaton of ammonia is therefore compromised - Ferrets older than 18 mths are unaffected by arginine-free diets

Answer 99

- Ferrets of all ages are susceptible - Leaching of zinc from steam-sterilize galvanized food and water bowls - Clin signs: pallor, posterior weakness, lethargy - Dx: elevated levels of zinc in kidney and liver - Pathology: kidneys enlarged, pale, soft; livers orange; gastric hemorrhage - Histo: glomerular collapse, tubular dilation, tubular proteinaceous debris, focal cortical fibrosis, hepatic periacinar infiltration, depresstion of erythroid series - Avoid galvanized materials

Answer 100

- Clin signs: obesity, lethargy, decreased activity, excessive sleeping - Dx: measure T4 levels using human recombinant TSH - Tx: oral levothyroxine every 12 hr

Answer 101

- Fighting: separate hobs at 12 weeks of age to avoid - Traumatic elbow luxation: common in ferrets; typically occurs when animal changes directions after getting a leg caught in cage flooring; open reduction should be used because closed reduction rarely successful = tranarticular pin for 4 weeks with leg splinted until after pin removal

Answer 102

- Hydronephrosis due to ureter ligation & ovarian remnants = both related to OVH surgery - Ovarian remnants assoc w/ estrus, vulvar enlargement, alopecia

Answer 103

- Pancreatic islet cell tumors - Adrenocortical cell tumors - Lymphoma - Skin cancers

Answer 104

- Functional pancreatic islet cell tumors = most common neoplasm in ferrets - In ferrets as young as 2 years, typically later onset at 4-5 years - Clin signs: weight loss, vomiting, ataxia; weakness with posterior paresis or collapse, splenomegaly, lymphcytosis; signs often intermittent or episodic - Hypoglycemia caused by excess production of insulin in neoplastic Beta-cells may cause tremors, disorientation, seizures - Excessive salivation and pawing at mouth - Dx: presumptive based on clin signs + hypoglycemia (check after 4 hr fasting period) - fasting glucose below 60 mg/dL considered diagnostic; 60-85 mg/dL suspect; concurrent hyperinsulinemia, but insulin secretion in affected ferrets can be sporadic; histology can provide definitive diagnosis = proliferation of pancreatic Beta-cells; can have local recurrence or mets to LNs, mesentery, spleen, liver - Ddx: anorexia, starvation, hepatic disease, sepsis, nonpancreatic neoplasia - Tx: medical management with prednisone +/0 diazoxide along with frequent feeding of high-protein meals; surgery recommended for animals that are healthy enough

Answer 105

- Second most common type of neoplasia in ferrets - Generally diagnosed between 3-6 years of age - Clin signs: asymptomatic; weight loss, bilateral symmetrical alopecia +/- pruritis - Clin signs directly related to increase of sex steroids in the blood resulting in estrogen toxicity - Difference between this condition and typical Cushing presentation is the production in affected ferrets of a significant increased of sex steroids by the zona reticularis and NOT significant levels of cortisol from the zona fasciculata - Sex steroids that are usually elevated are estradiol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, androstenedione - Estrus-like vulva swelling in females; prostatic changes and cystitis in males - Ddx: ovarian remnant - Dx: palpation reveals cranial abdominal masses, US shows increased adrenal size; serum assay of sex hormones - Alopecia can be seasonally intermittent - Adrenal cortical hyperplasia is extremely common in aging ferrets, even those not showing clinical signs - Tx: medical management: monthly injection of Lupron (leuprolide acetate) = GnRH superagonist & stops production of LH and FSH - resistant to Lupron may develop over time; Deslorelin implants are treatment of choice; GnRH vaccine for prevention; melatonin - directly inhibits GnRH release; Ferretonin (melatonin implant); surgical exploration and removal of enlarged adrenals; ultrasound-guided alcohol injection into affect adrenal - Frequently a tumor of the right adrenal will invade into the vena cava = partial resection or removal of vena cava needed; collateral vessels will make up for vena cava; survivors need aggressive fluid therapy for 2-3 days post-op - Histo: well-differentiated cells with a granular or vacuolated cytoplasm; adrenal cell carcinomas are less commonly found than adenomas & are larger, more pleomorphic, more invasive; mets can occur but are rare

Answer 106

- It is possible to remove both adrenal glands at the same time without creating significant hormonal issues - Animals should be medicated with dexamethasone during postop recover, & oral prednisone for a few weeks after surgery - Supplementation with glucocorticoids sometimes needed is the gland remaining after unilateral adrenalectomy has been suppressed by the hyperactive one

Answer 107

- Seen in all ages; an aggressive form is often seen in juvenile ferrets (less than 2 years of age) - mediastinal mass if often found - Older ferrets (greaters than 2 years old) more likely to develop more indolent form - multicentric or GI lymphoma - Potential etiologies: a retrovirus distinct to FeLV; chronic immune stimulation d/t ADV or Helicobacter mustelae (seems responsible for a specific type of gastric B-cell lymphoma) - Clin signs: often chronic, nonspecific signs - weight loss, anorexia, lethargy, splenic or hepatic enlargement, cutaneous involvement; anemia, lymphopenia or lymphocytosis; atypical lymphocytes in circulation; hypercalcemia with T cell lymphoma; dyspnea with mediastinal mass; elevated liver values, azotemia - Dx: FNA of masses, radiographs or US; IHC of affected tissues to determine cell immunophenotype

Answer 108

- Anti-CD3 = B cell lymphoma | - Anti-CD79a = T cell lymphoma

Answer 109

- Tan colored masses in lymph nodes, spleen, liver, other organs; diffuse involvement may cause enlargement of these organs or thickening of wall of stomach or intestines - Histo: neoplastic lymphocytes - Tx: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation; simplest form of chemotherapy is prednisolone/prednisone - will achieve partial or complete, short term remission - Chemotherapy may be less effective in ferrets receiving chronic immunosuppression; most chemo regimens are modified feline lymphoma protocols - The more rapidly progressive form seen in younger ferrets should likely be treated more aggressively than the indolent form seen in adults - Doxorubicin, and to a lesser extent vincristine, can cause severe tissue sloughing if there is extravasation

Answer 110

- Mast cells tumors are most common integumentary tumors in ferrets - occur anywhere on body with associated alopecia, crusty ulceration, pruritis; histo: well differentiated mast cells with metachromatic cytoplasmic granules - toluidine blue stain - Basal cell tumors: firm plaques or pedunculated nodules that are white or pink; may grow rapidly and ulcerate; most are benign; Ddx: squamous cell carcinoma, apocrine gland adenocarcinoma - Chordomas: not epithelial cell tumors, but often present as firm masses on tail, may ulcerate overlying skin; arise along axial skeleton from notochord remnants, slow-growing; generally do not reoccur after tail amputation; prognosis guarded for rare cervical region chordomas - mets documented

Answer 111

- Has been assoc w/ fine particle bedding, large litters, short kit-birth intervals - Jills may neglect to clean placentas, or kits may be born so rapidly there is not adequate time - Entangled kits may die d/t dehydration, hypothermia, hypoglycemia - Tx: dissection under a heat lamp or on a heated surface to free kits; cords should be cut as far away from umbilicus as possible - Parturition should be supervised, if possible, to avoid entanglement

Answer 112

- Neural tube defect - Gastrochisis - Cleft palate - Amelia - Corneal dermoids - Cataracts - Supernumerary incisors - Cystic or polycystic kidneys - Cystic genitourinary anomalies assoc w/ prostate, bladder, proximal urethra likely develop secondary to aberrant hormone secretion by adrenocortical tumors - Newborn ferrets normally born with closed orbital fissure and are prone to developing subpalpebral abscesses

Answer 113

- Common in aging ferrets - Dilatative form most commonly diagnosed - Clin signs: lethargy, weight loss, anorexia; hypothermia, tachycardia, cyanosis, jugular distension, respiratory distress - Dx: heart murmur/muffled sounds; hepato- & splenomegaly; radiographs; ECG - Tx: supportive care, diuretics, inotropic drugs - Long term prognosis is guarded to poor

Answer 114

- Common finding in ferrets - May be related to another disease (insulinoma, cardiomyopathy, adrenal tumor, lymphoma, splenic sequestration of erythrocytes with anesthesia) or of unknown significant - Histo: extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) - may be incidental or play role in chronic anemia that may respond to splenectomy = syndrome called hypersplenism

Answer 115

- Idiopathic disorder with peripheral eosinophilia of 10-35% (but may not be elevated peripherally), hypoalbuminemia, diffuse infiltration of GI tract with eosinophils - Incidence is variable - Clin signs: chronic weight loss, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting - Eosinophilic granulomas in mesenteric LNs; sometimes lung or liver may be involved - Splendore-Hoeppli material in inflamed LNs (Giemsa stain) - this is usually associated with helminths, bacteria, fungi, foreign bodies - Tx: supportive care for enteritis; ivermectin and corticosteroids may be beneficial

Answer 116

- Clin signs: weight loss, anorexia, difficulty eating, repeated regurgitation - Cause generally unknown - Prognosis is poor, despite efforts at supportive care

Answer 117

- Emerging ferret disease first described in 2003 - Inflammation of muscle and surrounding tissue - Ferrets under 18 months most commonly affected - Clin signs: fever, lethargy, depression, paresis, inappetance; lumbosacral or hind limb pain - Progressive disability leads to euthanasia in most cases - PE: wasting, muscle atrophy, lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly - ALT may be elevated but CK is not; hypoproteinemia and hypoglobulinemia sometimes observed - Dx: muscle biopsy - Pathology: areas of pallor or white streaks in various muscle groups including esophagus, diaphragmm, both axial and appendicular skeletal muscle - Histo: muscle fiber strophy, neutrophilic to pyogranulomatous infiltrate within and around muscle fibers of smooth, cardiac, and skeletal muscle; *transmural and circumferential esophageal infiltrate along the length of the organ is characteristic - Tx: combination of prednisone, cyclophosphamide, chloramphenicol may be successful

Answer 118

- Gray, yellow, or white small raised lesion on surface of lungs - Histo: superficial thickening of lung tissue with mononuclear cell infiltration and varying degrees of fibrosis, with or without cholesterol-like clefts - Etiology unknown; appears to be incidental lesion

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Chapter 14. Biology and Diseases of Ferrets Flashcards

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